WHO IS ROSALIND FRANKLIN?
THE DARK LADY OF DNA
Rosaline discoverd DNA’s structure via X-ray crystallography.
ROSALIND FRANKLIN
Meet “The Dark Lady of DNA”, Rosalind Franklin!
She is a Power Woman for discovering the structure of DNA. Her pioneering use of X-ray crystallography enabled her (and her student, Raymond Gosling) to photograph those mysterious long strands, we know as a double helix!
It goes without saying that brilliant women are sometimes viewed as a threat by men. In 1953, a (not so) gentleman by the name of Maurice Wilkins shared her “Photograph 51” to a certain Watson and Crick - without permission or crediting her photograph and her work. Watson declared: “My jaw fell open and my pulse began to race.”
“PHOTOGRAPH 51”
What you are looking at is Rosalind Franklin’s “Photograph 51”. It was THE significant breakthrough in discovering the structure of DNA. It is a picture of “double helix” taken in 1951 using a new technique that Rosalind pioneered, called X-ray crystallography. Through 100 hours of X-ray exposure from a machine, Franklin herself had refined, Rosalind and her student, Raymond Gosling, revealed the “double helix” structure.
As I mentioned, an unscrupulous man called Maurice Wilkins shared her unpublished work to competing scientists, Watson and Crick - without permission or credit.
In 1953, the men published their model of DNA with a footnote that they were “stimulated by a general knowledge” of Franklin’s and Wilkins’ photograph. Watson and Crick went on to win the Nobel Prize in 1962, even though much of their work was grounded in “Photograph 51” and Rosalind’s unpublished work.
While Rosalind Franklin died of ovarian cancer in 1958 at the age of 37, her breakthrough discovery of the structure of DNA changed science - and the world!
DAOU JEWELLERY - HELIX ENGAGEMENT RING
Women in STEM are awesome. So are women in STEM who are also jewelry designers!
Dalia Daou is a 3rd generation jeweler with postgraduate and physics degrees and is all kinds of amazing. Daou Jewellery’s designs are inspired by the marvels of STEM, including this epic Helix engagement ring! We all knew DNA is cool, but Dalia has provided conclusive evidence that it is also beautifully romantic!
SHOP Dalia’s jewelry!
DAOU JEWELLERY
IN THE SHOP:
CURATED DESIGNER JEWELRY THAT ALIGNS WITH YOUR VALUES
Interested in a curated selection of discerning fine jewelry? I’m here for you!
As your jewelry guide, I help you acquire responsibly sourced rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets - designed by women. This means striving for:
• transparency in origin
• conflict-free
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What are the benefits of The Brilliant Concierge service?
A fluid, personalized experience, presenting you with thoughtfully designed jewelry for purchase you will love. The service can be:
• Editing your current jewelry wardrobe and anticipating needs for your next purchase.
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• Sourcing jewelry for you or a gift for someone you love, be it day-to-night stud earrings or an engagement ring.